What’s the big deal?
The story about Wanda Sykes and her controversial statements has been getting more buzz lately than Personal Money Store’s cash advance programs. Who would have thought that a comedian, doing what they’re paid to do, would spark so much debate?
The Story
Wanda Sykes was invited to be the mistress of ceremonies for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held on Saturday, May 9, 2009. Apparently, there were some statements made about Rush Limbaugh.
This was the main statement that roused White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs into stating that there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection rather than comedy.
Ms. Sykes controversial remarks:
“He said he wants the country to fail…” “To me that’s treason. He’s not saying anything different than what Osama Bin Laden is saying. You might want to look into this, sir, because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight…”
After jokingly asking the crowd if the statement was too much, she added, “Rush Limbaugh, I hope the country fails, I hope his kidneys fail, how about that? He needs a good waterboarding, that’s what he needs.”
Though the President laughed at Ms. Sykes’ jokes, on Monday, May 11, Mr. Gibbs set out to remove Barack Obama from any ties to the jokes and said he didn’t think there is any doubt that 9/11 is one of the topics better left for serious reflection.
My Two Cents
Some people have been calling Wanda Sykes a crazed liberal and some folks have lashed out at Rush Limbaugh, calling him weak, as if he initiated the backlash against Ms. Sykes. Though Wanda had very strong opinions of Mr. Limbaugh (after all she said she wants his kidneys to fail) he refused to make any public statements directed to or about Sykes and her comments. I believe that’s the best decision for him to make. Just like with a cash advance, if he isn’t fully sure of what he’s getting into, he should take some time and evaluate the entire situation before taking action.
A Joke’s a Joke
I’ve heard plenty of jokes in reference to the Pearl Harbor attack, the bombing of Hiroshima, and plenty of other devastating events. I’ve seen footage of politicians telling jokes about Hurricane Katrina, and I could have sent a letter to the White House or posted a seething blog post, but at the end of the day, it’s a joke. Granted, some individual’s idea of funny could be ruthlessly insulting to others (Wanda Sykes saying she hopes Mr. Limbaugh’s kidneys fail), however it still is another person’s opinion.
Personally, I found the entire video of Wanda Sykes’ comedy routine funny and refreshing as an online cash advance. What people don’t realize is the message behind Sykes’ comedic rant: if Mr. Limbaugh wants our country to fail, why should we care for him? We went to war because someone or a group of individuals wanted the United States to fail, so that’s what Ms. Sykes did: went to war! Do I agree with her statements? No. Do I understand them? Absolutely.
How do you feel about the situation? Do you think her statements were too out of line? Leave a comment expressing your feelings.
When I saw the clip, I knew I had to say something that it pains me to do. It is one of the most odious and nauseating things I have ever contemplated doing, and I am holding back vomit as I write, but I will defend Rush Limbaugh, but only in the context that the joke went too far. She went too far, even though I completely see where she was going with it, and any jokes made at Rush Limbaugh’s expense are usually great – and justified, especially when he calls for all sorts of horrible punishments for drug users and turns out to be one himself – as he is most definitely a pill popping hypocritical blowhard who does not have any kind of higher education which should kind of disbar him from any kind of qualification as voice of anything, except maybe for pill popping hypocrites. Ms. Sykes has every protection of the freedom of speech, a cornerstone of our democracy, it’s just that the joke went too far.
Someone noted that Syke’s roasting of the president was too gentle, and that she spent more time making fun of G. W. Bush and Obama’s adversaries. If Bush had the guts to invite Stephen Colbert, who lampooned the president pretty strongly, then maybe Obama should invite a real detractor.
@Peter
I do agree that the joke was the wrong thing to say at the wrong time… but it sure made a lot of people smile, and somehow feel safe. Sad that a woman wishing harm upon somebody is funny, but what a world we’ve created… Thanks for the comment!
Until the next post, much love, peace, and medicated hair grease.
- Thierry
Perhaps her comments would not have raised such a stir had they been broadcast from an HBO comedy special instead of being directed to an audiance at a ceremony for the White House Correspondents’. It was probably just not the appropriate venue.
@Bert- I do agree with you on this one. I wonder whose idea it was for Wanda Sykes to be mistress of ceremonies… when she’s a comedian… and it’s obvious that her political humor didn’t go over well… still, I guess she meant well…
@TJ- You hit the nail right on the head. Though I do believe she helped the White House Correspondents collectively “bust a gut!” LOL
Until the next post, much love, peace, and medicated hair grease.
- Thierry
Totally agree with Thierry!
And thanks for the info!
I think that it is a good day in this country when we have the freedom of speech to be honest and say what we think.
I think it is a sad day when it starts becoming like junior high school. I don’t think either side of this sounds very mature or responsible.
I wonder what people in other countries think of us when they read our news.
@VardenafilFaQ- Thanx… There will be more where that came from.
@Crystal- Just the other day I read a story about teenagers setting another young man on fire! This perplexes me, especially when it comes to the subject of our youth. These are the people who will be heading future generations. I think of their influences, and what we, as Americans, have decided to go to war for: nothing. You could say it started with Bush, maybe even Regan… maybe even Bush Sr. I most definitely think Soulja Boy’s music plays a part in disaster (sorry, but it’s my honest opinion). To sum this comment up: our news is jacked up, because our views are egocentric…. think about that one… and thanx for the comment!!